Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati does

Over the next few weeks, people from the community whose actions have had a positive effect on life here will be profiled in the Sebastian Sun to give readers some insight into their lives.

First up is Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, an American-born spiritual teacher who leads Kashi Ashram on Roseland Road.

Ma, as she is known to her students, rarely agrees to interviews; but in November she shared some thoughts about her life and this community.

Below are excerpts from this interview.

Ma Jaya is widely known for her compassionate work, serving those who are suffering, people living with AIDS, the homeless, the poor and anyone in need.

Ma Jaya is most passionate about the importance of service in spiritual life.

Q: What led you to a life of service to others?

A: "I was raised literally actually under the boardwalk in Coney Island. I was taken care of by four black folks. They took care of me, even endangering their own lives in those days. And they used to say, when you get big, you have to pay us back. I said I don't have any money. But they weren't talking money; they were talking about taking care of people. And I never forgot that. They were so gracious and so beautiful and so wonderful. They took such good care of me, and then I got started taking care of people. I don't remember when it started; I just did it. This whole thing is about service to others. It brings such joy to me."

Q: But does the average person know how to help others?

A: "It's in our blood. The one thing that I teach is that the person you're taking care of knows if you don't want to be there. You have to have it in your heart to serve others. You have to take care of them the way you would want to be taken care of. There is so much for people to do, and a lot of people don't know how to help. Just give an hour of your once a week, and you will make a difference."

Q: What led you to develop a place like By the River, a housing development for low income seniors in Sebastian?

A: "By the River has been my dream since the day I moved here. I said, I'm going to have a place for the elderly. I just knew it. There is such a need to help the elderly. My vision was one big building that was homey, but they showed the plans and it was four buildings, And now, I need another four buildings. People forget the elderly too often. They're put out to pasture in nursing homes where we work, and it's just heartbreaking to see them. But you see these things ... and instead of saying 'woe is me,' I say do something."

Q: You recently received an award from the Temple of Understanding, naming you an Interfaith Visionary. What does this award mean to you?

A: "They chose me because I love their temple and it's interfaith. They know of my work, and we just don't stop. But I don't think the award was only about me. I think it was also my students — it's actually about everybody here."

Q: When you established Kashi Ashram 34 years ago in Sebastian, did you envision what it would become?

A: "I thought it would be big, but I never thought it would go all over the world. I never thought that people would have the same heart that I have nor did I expect them to. For 34 years, every morning when I go out to walk, I still can't believe it. It's just so magnificent. My guru taught me to feed everyone, and that's one of the things we do here. We try to make sure everyone we know — and everyone we don't know — is fed. I want no one to be hungry and alone."